The Conversion of an African- Acts 8:26-40
Have you ever asked yourself what place Africa has in God’s story of redemption?
Clearly, it begins long before the LORD turning the heart of one of Africa’s elite (minister of finance) from Ethiopia. And yet, in this story of the LORD directing Phillip to speak of Christ to him, we see plainly that he typifies how it is that God reveals His Truth to any of His elect ones. Here is evidence again that God has a redeemed people from EVERY tribe, nation and tongue,
Revelation 5:9,
7:9. Here also is the revelation of one of those of whom the LORD Jesus said,
‘And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd,’ John 10:16.God directs His Word to His elect:
26 And the angel of the LORD spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. 27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
God’s Word is fundamental to the conversion of the soul:
28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. 30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
Christ and Him crucified is the subject of all of Scripture:
32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: 33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. 34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
Water immersion is confessing Christ in faith:
36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
God’s elect rejoice in the revelation of the LORD Jesus:
“39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the LORD caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.”
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